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A young Dana Smith quickened her steps to keep pace with her mother. They entered the community center — a symphony of activity humming through the corridors. Smith could smell chlorine and hear water splashing among the noise. On the way to the pool where Smith would be taking her swimming lesson, an open studio caught her attention. Smith peered inside, not realizing her life was about to change.

“It was a little ballet studio with mirrors and the barre. I stopped to watch part of a class,” Smith said. “Those girls with their hair in a bun and their toe shoes and their skirts and their tutus — that was it. That’s what I wanted to do.”

At just under five years old, Smith began ballet and advanced quickly, moving from the Denver Civic Ballet to the North Carolina School for the Arts. After high school, Dana joined the traveling company known as the Washington Ballet.

“We spent more time on the road than we did in Washington, D.C. We traveled to South America and Asia,” Smith said. “It was interesting to see those cultures and interact with them, but there were parts of it that were sobering. It really opened my eyes to how unique the experience was and made me a little more grateful for it.”

Seven demanding, transformative years with the Washington Ballet produced unforgettable memories and challenging performances.

One piece was called “Glow of the Night,” performed at a benefit gala put on by English ballerina Margot Fonteyn. Appointed by Queen Elizabeth II as Prima Ballerina Absoluta — a title awarded to the most supreme female ballet dancers — Fonteyn held celebrity status, but Smith remained composed both in meeting her and performing on stage in front of her.

“It was like meeting the Audrey Hepburn of the dance world. She was gracious and kind. She just had this aura,” Smith said. “As for the performance, I don’t know if I willed it or if there was a bit of magic out there, but it was one of the only times I felt truly unbound — like I had a freedom in my body and my movement. It was so intense that when it was over, I cried.”

The most challenging piece in Smith’s career was “The Unknown Territory” created by Singaporean ballet dancer and choreographer Choo San Gogh, resident artist director at the Washington Ballet. Under his direction, Smith further cultivated her grace, developing great respect for and more importantly, a strong friendship with him.
“The piece was very abstract. It was about tribal people engaging in kind of a ritual, including a wedding,” Smith said. “The company really enjoyed it, but it was extremely difficult to try to tell that story through dance in a way that would resonate with people.”

Smith continued to evolve in studio and on stage, drawn to the unmatched blend of the tangible and intangible naturally embodied in the medium.

“I enjoyed the athleticism of it — the physical challenge of improving technique. Then as you grow, the next challenge is to combine physicality with artistry and find a way to be a performer that is interesting to people,” said Smith. “You can't just do the steps, there’s a way you must hear the musicality, the way you syncopate your movement, and the way you can project emotion.”

Yet, as with any performance, there’s always a final curtain call. Smith began to feel hers was on the way.

“I realized my talent had taken me as far as it was going to go, and dance had begun to feel more like work than passion,” Smith said.

Then came tragedy.

“Choo San and I had a very close relationship,” Smith said, tears glossing her eyes. “We shared a birthday. He liked to talk about non-ballet things such as life, about growing up in Singapore, and many other things. So, when he passed away, a little part of my love of dance passed with him.”

Although heavy with loss and burned out by demand, Smith didn’t move on from dancing right away. She carried on, taking the stage several times as one of two performers in contemporary piece called “The Time Before the Time After (After the Time Before), a demanding 17-minute duet with no costumes, characters, or pageantry — only the dance.

“When you strip away those elements, performing in a way that keeps the audience engaged in what you were doing is hard,” Smith said. “Achieving that level of audience attention without much of the artifice that sometimes comes with classical ballet was memorable.”

However, this piece was unforgettable to Smith for another reason. One day, Smith and her partner rehearsed the piece before the performance on that evening’s agenda, which was also to include a special memorial for Choo San. In attendance was Mikhail Baryshnikov, the preeminent male ballet dancer. Baryshnikov had commissioned Choo San to create a piece for him, and that night, Baryshnikov was to speak at his memorial.
Once rehearsal wrapped, Smith clipped on her Walkman, slid on her headphones and zoned out to music. Moments later, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

“Baryshnikov was standing two feet from me,” Smith said. “He placed a hand on my shoulder and said, ‘It’s nice what you do.’ He’d been watching us rehearse from darkness of the house seats. That was a high point in my life, getting that accolade from someone like him.”

While Baryshnikov’s words resonated warmly within, Smith knew it was time to earn an education and begin a professional career outside of dancing.

Smith headed back to Denver, her hometown, and went into paralegal studies, eventually acquiring a job in the field.

“It was liberating, to be free from the constant expectations from dance,” Smith said. “But ironically, I did struggle with that loss. It was difficult. So, I went back to performing, just on a smaller scale.”

For three years, Smith was a big fish in a small pond. Her resurgence into dance was now less of a demanding profession and more of a joy. But that joy was only temporary.

“I reached a point where I just realized I didn't want to do it any longer. It wasn't who I was anymore,” Smith said. “I never ever had any desire to teach or become a ballet master so I left that world. But that chance to continue performing in a way that was just a passion and not work made it easier to walk away.”

Smith spent 37 years in the paralegal world, and like her career in dance, she reached a point where she knew it was time to move on. That move was to Pantex.

Smith works in IT as the business office resource and portfolio specialist. She manages the intake of project requests and makes certain they are shepherded through the process and are in the appropriate portfolios. And although she enjoys what she does, there’s one thing that she really loves about Pantex.

“The extraordinary people,” Smith said. “They’re willing to share knowledge and give time. There’s genuine support, from leadership down to my team, and I sincerely enjoy working with them every day.”

Although ballet remains a poignant part of Smith’s life, she remains thankful. Thankful for the memories, the expression, the artistry, and the character strengths it provided her.

“Dance gave me discipline, perseverance, and focus to work harder than the other person, even when I feel like I'm at the end of my rope,” Smith said. “When life is overwhelming, it helps me remain mentally focused, to push on, that I can always find a little something more in myself.”

Learn more about Dana Smith.

Firefighters Joshua Brown, Jacob Frame, and Mike Kendrick climbed 110 stories to honor the 343 firefighters killed in the line of duty on September 11. Courtesy photo.

“We climb for them. We honor the fallen. We will never forget. Never.”

Pantex Fire Department Captain Josh Brown spoke these words as he prepared to climb a distance equal to the height of the twin towers — 110 stories — to memorialize the 343 firefighters who gave their lives responding to the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001. In full gear, Brown and fellow Pantex firefighters Jacob Frame and Mike Kendrick participated in the Kansas City 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb for the second year in a row to honor the legacy of the fallen.

“Side by side, veteran firefighters and our newest members carry on the traditions and keep the memory of those 343 fallen brothers and sisters alive,” Brown said. “This was one of the most physically challenging events I’ve ever participated in. The heat was 102 degrees in the stairwell, and we were climbing in full gear with air packs. Yet, despite the heat, the gear, and the physical exhaustion, every step reminded us of the firefighters who willingly ran up those stairs, believing they might be able to save lives. They were heroes that day, heroes who gave, not lost, their lives.”

Each participant carries the photo and badge of a firefighter who ran toward danger but never made it home. Climbers take on all 110 stories by going multiple times to the top of the Skyline Collection high-rise in downtown Kansas City to deliver the photo to the top. The route winds up the interior stairwell of the building, where photos, handwritten notes, family pictures, and mementos line the walls, surrounding each climber with the faces and stories of the heroes they represent.

“Traditionally, a 25th anniversary is symbolized by silver, a metal known for its resilience, durability, strength, and ability to hold up under pressure,” Brown said. “Over the last quarter-century, this nation has been tested by terrorism, natural disasters, and a global pandemic. Yet, the United States and its people do not break. We adapt, we push through, and we stand ready whenever the call comes.”

The final act of the climb is to ring a ceremonial bell as a tribute to those who could not ring it themselves.

“Whether serving our national security mission at home or honoring our fallen brothers and sisters in Kansas City, we stand together,” Brown said. “As we strike the bell and call out the name of our assigned fallen firefighter, we will be doing so in honor of all Pantexans.”

PXFD's commitment extends far beyond emergency response. Whether supporting neighboring departments through mutual aid, leading safety training, mentoring local students, or climbing 110 flights of stairs in honor of fallen heroes, the department takes pride in representing Pantex throughout the community. With each step of the memorial climb, PXFD firefighters not only honored those lost on 9/11 but reaffirmed their own dedication to a profession rooted in service.

“We climb to remember,” Brown said. “And we vow never to forget.”

As the two longest-tenured firefighters on staff, Steve Lasher and Ricky Hamilton have lived through many significant historical moments. Photo by Adam Baker.

More than 100 people currently working at Pantex weren’t born by September 11, 2001. Several hundred more were likely too young to remember when terrorists crashed two passenger jets into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. While the next generation learns about the devastating attacks in school, Firefighters Steve Lasher and Ricky Hamilton will never forget living through it while working at Pantex.

Lasher had just finished a 72-hour shift at the Pantex Fire Department (PXFD) and was walking through the front door of his house when his wife called him and told him to turn on the TV.

“When the second plane came in, I told her this wasn’t an accident, something is going on. I think the United States is under attack,” Lasher said. “I was called back to the site and spent the next several days there waiting to respond in case we were needed. We felt like we had to defend this place; that was our feelings.”

Hamilton was at medical getting his yearly physical when he received an ominous call on his radio.

“All they said was to get back to the station,” Hamilton began. “They said, ‘you don’t understand — come back to the station.’ They didn’t know what was going on so they didn’t want anything on the radio.”

Hamilton immediately rushed back and learned what had happened. Firefighters were then proactively staged at different parts of the plant. Hamilton was sent to the south side of Pantex where he resourcefully rigged a wire clothes hanger to a TV on a cart allowing him to tune into a local news station out of Amarillo to see what was happening.

“There was no one fighting over the TV channels that day,” Hamilton said. “Everyone was glued to the news.”

Lasher was sent to the radio shop where he spent the night in the breakroom — his crew sleeping sitting up in a chair at the table or on the floor with makeshift blankets. In the following days, all shifts were brought back to the station but not released from duty. Firefighters slept where they could, taking turns in bunks or rotating floor space to lay down when not working.

“We felt like we had to be here to protect Pantex no matter what,” Lasher said. “That’s in our DNA. We want to help. Every single firefighter came back in unless they were out of town.”

Lasher stayed at Pantex for four days straight – Hamilton seven. The two men had families of their own and an unrelenting desire to serve others. But not all memories from that time were of the uncertainty of what was to come or urgency in response preparations. Some memories were deeply rooted in camaraderie, preservation, and bonding.

“At first no one was allowed to enter the plant, but we still had to eat,” Hamilton said. “At that time, the plant ran the cafeteria. The higher-ups had keys, and they went to the cafeteria and got supplies. Our guys are such good cooks; they made meals for everyone, including the plant manager — until the fourth day —then they ordered pizza.”

Hamilton and Lasher can recall that day 25 years ago as if it happened yesterday and reminisce about memorials thoughtfully placed for remembrance tomorrow.

“If you visit the Pantex Fire Department you’ll see a monument displaying steel from the World Trade Center sitting on a stand built and maintained by craft workers at Pantex,” Lasher said. “When you go inside Building 12-130, you’ll walk under a dual trunk oak tree planted in the front, specially selected by former battalion chief Don Morgan on the one-year anniversary in remembrance of the two towers that fell 25 years ago.”

And once inside the fire station, you’ll see the brave men and women of the Pantex Fire Department who have sworn an oath pledging to uphold their duty of service to Pantex and in turn our nation during normal times and times of crisis.

“Just talking about it then, it was emotional,” Hamilton said. “Everything we did was.”

After more than 40 years of service each, both Hamilton and Lasher will be retiring in the coming years, but not before passing their knowledge, memories, and obligation to the next generation of first responders.

“You’re going to do what you need to do,” Lasher said. “You know what you signed up for as a firefighter. Among the lives lost that day in 2001, 343 firefighters died trying to save others. It’s what we do, and it’s what we’ll continue to do.”

Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Kalvin King work every day to support the Pantex mission. Take three minutes to learn about who he is, what he does, and why he is proud to be a Pantexan.

South Zone Maintenance Supervisor Kalvin King thrives in a dynamic environment. Whether he is camping with his family on a mountain or trying to solve problems with his team, he loves situations where he can lead with experience and learn from others. With four kids at home and employees in the two shops he manages, there are plenty of lessons to be learned.

King joined the Pantex team in 2019 as a production technician before taking on the role of a planner two years later. It was during his interactions as a maintenance planner that King really started to see what was special about Pantex.

“The people of Pantex,” said King. “The atmosphere and attitudes of the people I work with daily. I am blessed to be part of something so special out here and to have the opportunity to lead and grow as a leader for my team, my family, and myself.”

King is now the supervisor for the electricians and carpenters in the south end of the plant, a position he took about a year ago. His experiences throughout the years have taught him to build relationships and keep a questioning attitude, and it is serving him well in his current role.

“You shouldn’t try to know everything. It’s a big place out here and the people you work with are the experts in their area for a reason. There are a lot of times that our guys are out in the field and they mentor me on their craft. You won’t know what others can help you with until you ask. In eight years, I’ve never run into someone who doesn’t want to help.”

The day-to-day work with fun and inspiring people make Pantex what it is for King. The trust he has for the people who work for, with, and above him make it a place he looks forward to coming back to every day.

“I never get mad about getting up to go to work. I can trust those around me. The leadership goes from the top down, sure, but it also starts from the bottom up in my area.”

Why is being open to learning from others critical for mission success?
Being open to learning from others is critical for mission success because it breaks down blind spots, eliminates knowledge silos, and prevents costly failures. By tapping into diverse perspectives and accumulated experiences, teams move forward with greater confidence and remain highly adaptable to changing realities.

Why is teamwork important?
Working closely with others exposes you to new ideas and skills, driving professional and personal growth.

Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
My wife and kids inspire me the most each and every day. They are my reason and my why!

Reliability Master Data Engineer Nate Orwig believes teamwork and a strong sense of community are vital in his role at Pantex.

Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Nate Orwig work every day to support the Pantex mission. Take three minutes to learn about who he is, what he does, and why he is proud to be a Pantexan.

What defines a community? Is it just people living in proximity? Isn’t a vital part of community the shared interests that unite people? However one defines it, community is an important part of both personal and professional life for Reliability Master Data Engineer Nate Orwig.

“I volunteer with the Texas Ramp Project, where we build wheelchair ramps for low-income older adults and people with disabilities,” he said, also noting additional volunteer efforts with the High Plains Food Bank and Salvation Army. According to Orwig, making a positive difference in the lives of others pays dividends that continue compounding far beyond a single individual’s efforts.

“A rising tide lifts all boats,” Orwig said. “If everyone can work together, we are improving Amarillo and the surrounding area as a whole. Also, I know when one day I need help other people will go out of their way to help me.”

Orwig enjoys making a difference, which perfectly aligns with his role at Pantex, where he makes a difference in many ways — including predicting the future.

“I started in Project Controls, assisting small-construction project managers with scheduling and cost,” he said. “I currently work in Reliability Engineering, where we use tools to predict future faults in equipment. Essentially, we want to schedule downtime to replace parts before the downtime schedules itself.”

Such a monumental task takes more than talent and intellect. It takes teamwork — community.

“Teamwork is very important in our role,” Orwig said. “When we troubleshoot a piece of equipment, we are looking at it from more than three different perspectives. We use vibration, thermography, and motion amplification (to name a few) to help diagnose equipment. Having a team that includes a subject-matter expert for each area is what helps us narrow down the root cause together.”

Orwig’s supervisor, Reliability Engineering Director Ryan George, said Orwig’s perspective gives his team exactly what it needs.

“Nate consistently seeks out new challenges and approaches them with clear goals, strong work ethic, and sharp insight,” George said. “His ability to collaborate across teams and deliver results makes him an invaluable asset to Reliability Engineering.”

What is your top bucket-list item, and why?
“At the top of my bucket list is to road trip around the U.S. I have done many cross-country drives to the East Coast to see family, and I want to drive the rest of the U.S. and camp to see the natural beauty we have here stateside.”

What is your favorite hobby, and why?
“My favorite activity outside of work is wrenching on small-engine projects that I buy or get from other people. Often, I get four-wheelers, motorcycles, and lawn mowers from coworkers that they ask me to get running again for them.”

What do you enjoy most about working at Pantex?
“One of my favorite things about working at Pantex is the camaraderie that comes with being here. We are a team, and together we are stronger than our individual parts.”

What is one thing your coworkers would be surprised to learn about you?
"I did sports announcing for WTAMU. While I was there, I announced every baseball and soccer game for two seasons while also filling in for basketball and softball games.”

Pantex Communications Intern Michael Odie discusses his project at the 2026 Intern Expo.

Each summer, Pantex opens its doors to a new group of interns who arrive ready to learn, contribute, and explore careers in our uniquely mission‑driven environment. This year’s cohort included 32 students representing 14 colleges, all taking part in a 12‑week program designed to immerse them in meaningful, hands‑on work.

“I really enjoy getting to work with interns every year,” Internship Coordinator Sabrina Perez said. “Everybody’s a little bit different and they’re trying to decide which path they want to pursue. The experience out here at Pantex allows them to see what work would be like.”

Pantex interns join a team, tackle real projects, and see how classroom concepts translate into outcomes that matter. Along the way, they gain mentors, discover new career paths, and build confidence in the skills they’re developing.

“The intern program we have here at Pantex is so rich that it allows a student to see what really, truly is available,” Perez said.

Intern Nevin Kalloor from Texas A&M University said he enjoyed the challenge that was presented to him in Engineering Technical Operations, and he offered future interns some helpful advice.

“You're going to have to learn everything that comes your way, and look at where we are at now — we're doing so much innovation,” Kalloor said. “You're going to have to have that learning mindset. You can't be satisfied with what you already know.”

Interns collaborate with mentors, participate in focused training sessions, and gain direct insight into the wide range of career paths available across the plant. Many interns describe the experience as both motivating and eye‑opening, offering a clearer understanding of how their academic studies connect to real‑world work.

Environmental Projects Intern Briana Iozzo from Texas Tech University said she went from asking a lot of questions to being able to answer them within a short amount of time.

“Having this opportunity here at Pantex, it's made me a lot more confident in the skills I had developed in college,” Iozzo said.

The experience was also defined by the connections they made with their mentors, co-workers, and fellow interns.

“What I like about my internship is the people,” said Supply Chain Intern Lauren Zuniga from West Texas A&M University (WTAMU). “Everyone was so welcoming and I never felt like I was invading anyone's space.”

Jesus Marquez, also from WTAMU, interned with Projects Engineering and valued the experience of his mentors.

“I like to consider my department one of the best departments,” Marquez said. “I feel like they're really willing to help you with whatever questions you have. They're willing to show you how they've learned in the past and offer good resources.”

At the close of their internships, many interns accepted full-time offers to join the mission at Pantex. This year 44% of interns were offered the coveted title of Pantexan.

See more of our interns’ perspectives in a short video filmed and edited by Communications Intern Michael Odie from Mississippi State University.

2026 Summer Interns

One movie trope suggests that if you want computer access, type away on the keyboard like a confused-yet-determined raccoon. You’ll eventually gain access or accidentally activate self-destruct. But we know that’s not how things work on this side of the silver screen. At Pantex, the reality is frantic raccooning will only leave you locked out, and the only save solution is a dedicated IT account management team of four.

Introducing IT account managers Roberta Brown, Burkleigh Hund, Juareen Green, and Tuck Traynor. And as you might expect, their list of responsibilities is as long as some password requirements.

“We manage user accounts and permissions within the IT organization,” Brown said. “We troubleshoot account issues and create, disable, and enable accounts that have been inactive. We also add and remove users to active directory groups, create and manage the enterprise secure network and classified accounts, process terminations for employees and subcontractors, issue RSA tokens and provision pagers, and more.”

Speaking of passwords, they can assist with those, too, including kindly reminding you for the fifth time why 123456 is an unsafe, unsecure, and overall terrible password choice. However, that interaction with people — whatever the task may be — is more than just part of the job.

“I really enjoy seeing and meeting all kinds of people while working on their accounts,” Hund said. “There is such a diverse group of people out here and doing what I do allows me to chat and learn about each person and their unique history!”

The account managers provide vital services and exceptional customer service. Their team is a success because they are dedicated to the mission and support Pantexans. Their efforts reflect the larger IT department team, and Hund often quotes the saying “it takes a village to raise a child.”

“IT is similar in that regard,” she said. “Each specific position, whether it is Linux, Desktop, Accounts Management, Cyber, Field Support, etc., has a role to play that no one else can do. It takes highly intelligent and diligent people and their expertise to make sure that Pantex thrives and grows.”

Fantastic, fabulous, or totally radical – however you wish to describe this fervent foursome remains up to you, but they are here to help and continue to find gratification in doing so.

“The job is genuinely rewarding and there's never a dull moment!” Greene said. “We are constantly learning and adapting to new needs, ensuring that our approach stays flexible and effective. If you ever need help with obtaining access or have questions about the process, please reach out. We're always happy to help and keep things moving forward.”

So next time you’re locked out of your account, require access to an active directory group, or need an RSA token, don’t smash away on your laptop or eat your frustration by sneaking breakroom donuts for the sixth time. Pick up the phone and call the Service Desk or submit a ticket though ServiceNow for help. You’ve got friends on the other side!

Photo by Adam Baker

Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Alex Gonzalez work every day to support the Pantex mission. Take three minutes to learn about who he is, what he does, and why he is proud to be a Pantexan.

Before earning his place at Pantex, End-User Support Technician Alex Gonzalez worked a variety of jobs, collecting name tags, logoed shirts, and paychecks across different industries. Whether he was waiting tables or working logistics, one underlying interest remained.

“Tech has always appealed to me,” Gonzalez said. “I decided to finally turn my hobby into a career. I went to college, earned my associate degree, and then started working closer with networks and computers.”

Gonzalez knew of Pantex, yet a job at the facility felt unattainable. But after reaching the end of advancement opportunities at his previous job, he took a shot and applied. It just so happened that IT at Pantex was looking for someone with his skillset. Two years later, he’s still proud to be here.

“I’m proud to be a Pantexan because of the history and legacy that comes with the name,” Gonzalez said. “My father-in-law worked at Pantex for 44 years and, while we only had a bit of overlap when I started, it was important to him to show me where he worked and what he did. And him doing that was important to me in a passing-of-the-torch sense.”

As an end-user support technician, Gonzalez assists many divisions at Pantex. Being one of the faces of IT, he’s able to take advantage of what he truly enjoys most about working out here.

“The people,” Gonzalez said. “When I help a customer, there are moments where we’re waiting for software to install or an update to finish. During those times, I’ll usually ask about their backgrounds and experiences.”

Customer-centric at heart and in practice, Gonzalez is ready to help his fellow Pantexans, even if the issue turns out to be unrelated to IT.

“Reaching out for help can sometimes feel intimidating or like you may be burdening someone,” Gonzalez said. “But you don’t know what you don’t know, and that’s OK. I’m happy to talk, so ask me anything and we can guide you through your question. If I’m not the one to fix an issue, I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.”

Why is being open to learn from others critical for mission success?
Be open to listening and exploring those unique perspectives. Doing so may help you better navigate different challenges.

Why is communication important for your team to succeed?
Communication is important for my team because of how spread out we are. The Information Technology Service Management organization covers the PAC, JCDC, and the plant. Establishing open lines of communication is how we better understand what’s happening in each area and the trends we are noticing, and we share that knowledge to help each other.

What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
I enjoy spending my time with my wife and pets. I also enjoy movies, video games, and TV. Shows like “The Office” or “The Big Bang Theory” are always playing in the background. On top of being entertainment, it’s a storytelling medium I enjoy.

Attendees of the workshop gathered together. Photo provided by Y-12.

More than 175 innovators, researchers, and specialists gathered to brainstorm how the sites in the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) can move faster and stronger, together. The inaugural Production Accelerated by Collaboration Workshop, held in June at Y-12 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, aimed to break down walls between sites, move away from isolated thinking, and leverage academic research partnerships.

For Pantex, that meant collaborating not only with NSE counterparts, but also with academic partners Amarillo College, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, and West Texas A&M University, all of which traveled to Y-12. Additional academic partners that work with NSE sites were also in attendance.

"Our sites have become stove piped,” said Carl Beard, director of the Production Operations division at Pantex. “We need to think and work as an enterprise."
The sites are securing dedicated funding for joint projects and building a shared database to ensure ideas are exchanged intentionally—helping prevent accidental duplication or reinventing the wheel.

By partnering with four regional academic institutions, Pantex is opening the door to a substantial talent pipeline. From Tier-1 university research to customized technical training programs, these schools bring brainpower to the table.

Evelyn Mullen, associate vice chancellor for Nuclear Security Initiatives with the Texas A&M University System Nuclear Security Office, emphasized the value of bringing university faculty and students directly into the fold.

"It’s important to talk to your university partners about your long-term goals," Mullen said.

Ultimately, the workshop's greatest value was providing participants with a direct line of communication, allowing them to bypass traditional hurdles and collaborate in real time.

Jared Brown, director of Facility Infrastructure and Operations at Pantex said, "It comes down to communications. We need to know about our partners in industry and where they have been successful.”

Far from just a discussion forum, PAC Workshop delivered immediate, concrete commitments to accelerate technological integration across the enterprise:

• Targeted Funding: Pantex, Y-12, and Kansas City Nuclear Security Campus established dedicated funding to seed and support collaborative initiatives.
• Capability Mapping: To streamline partnerships and prevent double-work, sites are launching an anti-redundancy database of collective capabilities.
• Active Coalitions: The workshop successfully launched more than 15 active partnerships spanning 10 key technical areas.

Pantex and Texas A&M University will be hosting the next workshop in summer 2027.

Jennifer and Ronnie Thomas followed in their son Cameron’s footsteps out to Pantex. Photo by Adam Baker.

When you search the name “Thomas” in the Pantex Directory, you get 319 results. While the name is common as a first and last name, the steadfast work ethic shown by Ronnie, Jennifer, and Cameron Thomas is uniquely theirs.

“Working here together has shown me the kind of dedication and character they’ve always carried and I’m proud to be part of that legacy,” Cameron said. “Not everyone gets the chance to see firsthand the example their parents set every day. The best part is hearing stories from people who have worked with them. It reminds me that the impact they’ve made reaches farther than just our family.”

The Thomases are also unique in the journey of how they all ended up at Pantex. You’ll hear countless stories of children following in their parents’ footsteps, but for the Thomas family, their son led the way. Cameron started at Pantex in 2021, then Ronnie came in 2022, and like clockwork, Jennifer made her way to the site in 2023. Cameron is a construction contract administrator, Ronnie is a construction project manager, and Jennifer is the administrative senior support for the Mission Assurance Officer and Business Services Division Director Colby Yeary. Their diverse talents ensure that no matter what organization you work in, there’s a good chance you might run into a Thomas shining somewhere.

“They are both great leaders,” Ronnie said. They’re always willing to help and just have tremendous work ethic. I get compliments anytime the connection is made.”

Outside of work, Cameron and Ronnie drive dirt-track racecars and Jennifer is there cheering them on. The family spends a lot of time prepping the cars and traveling on race weekends. The teamwork dynamic doesn’t stop there. When life at work goes from 0 to 60, Cameron knows he can always make a pit stop with his parents to refuel.

“Even though, out of my family, I’ve spent the most time at the plant, I do find myself still going to my parents for advice,” Cameron said, “whether it be a simple task with Microsoft Office or asking for professional advice.”

Jennifer says she’s happy to offer support and guidance, bounce ideas around, and provide suggestions leveraging their diverse expertise in their respective fields.

“We’ve even scheduled an Outlook 101 family meeting on Teams to share quick tips,” Jennifer said. “And I’ve often leaned on Cameron for his insights on procurement-related questions. It’s great to see their faces in the hallways or on Teams calls. There’s a unique sense of connection in being able to relate to each other’s day-to-day routines and experiences.”

The Thomases say working at Pantex has brought them closer together. They can understand each other’s schedules and responsibilities in a way that wasn’t possible before.

“I frequently hear about infrastructure progress, and I'm particularly grateful that Ronnie is involved in completing projects that directly benefit employees and contribute to the lasting transformation of our site's landscape,” Jennifer said. “Cameron began his career as a production technician on the W88, and we recently celebrated the final production unit at the site. He previously served as a buyer and successfully procured the ESD flooring project supplies ahead of schedule and under budget. Cameron is a natural leader and an exceptionally hard worker. While he is quiet just like his dad, his mind is seeking ways to enhance processes more efficiently.”

The Thomases may be three of 319 at Pantex, but their bond is one in a million.

“It’s special knowing we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves while also getting to share it as a family,” Cameron said. “Not many people get the chance to say they’ve worked alongside the people they love in a place with such an important mission. It’s created a bond and level of pride that’s hard to put into words.”